In 1989, automakers selling vehicles in the United States largely struggled reacquainting drivers with the fun and excitement of motoring the existed decades before. Part of the challenge between the 1970s and 1990s has been attempting infuse sportiness in the confides of a compact car. While the Pontiac Fiero, Honda CRX and Toyota MR2 are some icons remembered fondly as small vehicles of a time when the car industry was performance-challenged, none of them has become particularly long-lasting names or shapes. Cars like the Chevrolet Corvette and most-recently the Ford Mustang each have passed production milestones exceeding the combined assembly of the three small cars mentioned in the previous sentence. This year, one small sports car has reached a mega milestone.

Channelling the spirit of small-scale European sales cars of the 1960 and 1970s such as the Opel GT, Lotus Elan, Triumph TR-6 and MG roadsters, Mazda brought the MX-5 Miata to life in a motoring society craving a modern iteration on the popular concept. Powered by a modest 115-horsepower, four-cylinder engine, the 2,070-pound, open-top 1989 MX-5 Miata was an instant sensation. Over 23,000 Mazda Miatas were sold in the first year. After exceeding sales expectations in its initial sales year, United States sales for the Miata exploded in 1990 totalling more than 36,000 vehicles. Due to Mazda’s often-confusing switches between names and alphanumeric characters during the time of the sports car, the compact roadster has been referred to as the Miata as well as the MX-5 in the United States. Since 2005, Mazda took mercy on enthusiasts and opted to call the car the MX-5 Miata in North America.

The Mazda Miata was introduced to customers in 1989 from a Japanese auto brand seriously attempting to breakthrough to become a full force in the North American market in the same way as Toyota and Honda. 25 years ago, the Japanese carmaker had just released the larger 929 sedan and began selling the MPV minivan. Two years prior to Miata sales, Mazda had just started production at the Flat Rock, Michigan manufacturing plant that started as a co-venture with Ford Motor Company. While the high-performance Mazda RX-7 served well as a near-supercar halo vehicle, the Miata became so much more to the brand. While sales have declined from its feverish popularity of the 1990s, the current MX-5 Miata is still a winning form. A future Mazda MX-5 Miata is expected to share a platform with an Alfa Romeo thanks to a joint development agreement with Fiat Group.

In commemoration of the 25th anniversary of sales for the MX-5 Miata, Mazda is created 100 special edition models to be sold in the United States. The 25th Anniversary Edition of the 2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata will feature a Soul Red Metallic exterior paint colour and an interior combining Almond and Brilliant Black. The Brilliant Black will also be used on the windshield post of the 2015 MX-5 Miata 25th Anniversary Edition. Advertised as more than a basic set of commemorate badges and colours, the 2015 Mazda MX-5 25th Anniversary Edition will have 2.0-liter engines constructed with handpicked components. In addition to the exclusive leathering seating, the interior of the 2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata 25th Anniversary Edition is adorned by Piano Black as well as red accent stitching. The 25th Anniversary Edition models will also wear premium 17-inch alloy wheels featuring a Dark Gunmetal finish and feature a special serial number identifying the 1 of 100 MX-5 Miata.

With only 100 25th Anniversary Edition examples of the 2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata being sold at a price of $32,205 in the United States, potential owners have to wait until May 20th to register a pre-order for the vehicle. Between May 20th and May 31st, Mazda will allow up to 250 customers to commit to the possible purchase of the 2015 MX-5 Miata 25th Anniversary Edition. After a pre-order screening process, the 100 recipients of the special Mazda MX-5 Miata will be determined. The successful purchasers of the 2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata 25th Anniversary Edition will also be given a custom, Swiss-made Tourneau watch complete with a display winder box.